How to apply for the Visa Screen certificate for the first-time

Hi fellow nurses. I've recently passed my NCLEX-RN and IELTS exam. According to a friend the next step is to apply for visa screening,(he too has a limited knowledge about visa screening)please give me some advice on what to do next. Do I need to have an employer before applying for CGFNS Visa screening program?

-sherry09

Hi, Sherry09 and welcome to the forum. 
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After passing NCLEX-RN and IELTS, the only one more thing to do as far as requirements is apply for the Visa Screen Certification. 
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No, you do not need an employer first to apply for the Visa Screen Certification and in fact some employers or agencies would usually say they prefer if someone has complete documentations already including Visa Screen certification even though it is actually needed just in the interview and that they will just re-imburse the costs for those.
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You can download the Visa Screen Application Packet in www.cgfns.org It also contains all the instructions there. 
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If you are from the Philippines, you can also visit their office in Shaw Blvd. and get the actual application packet there but better call them up first if they still have copies available or if they still actually still give free copies.

Philippines

Address:
CGFNS Information Office
Centrex House
206 Pilar corner Shaw Boulevard
Mandaluyong City
Metro Manila 1550
Philippines
Tel: 722 2704

Email: cgfnsrp@globelines.com.ph

.

Also, pls. wait for other members to reply to your thread as well.  Once you get a copy of the Visa Screen application packet and have read the instructions there and can't understand some instructions, pls. just post an inquiry here and your co-members here will surely help you out.

Hello Sherry. Welcome to the forum. 
T-cell have said it right. I just want to add some advices if you may permit so.
Yes, the two credentials that you have at the moment; the NCLEX passing letter and the IELTS TRF that shows an acceptable bandscore are already more than substantial to file for I140 petition. In fact all you need for I140 filing is the NCLEX PASSING LETTER alone. All you need now is a good agency or US employer who is willing to facilitate and sponsor you with a green card.  Good Luck and Congratulations.

The VISA SCREEN CERTIFICATE is mandatory to obtain prior to your consular interview as this is one of the immigration requirements.  The consul will definitely look for one. NO VSC, means no ISSUANCE of Immigrant Visa till one is able to provide so.  Note that it is only needed at the time of consular interview.

Note that the Visa Screen Certificate is only valid for five years counting from the date it is issued. Having this common knowledge, and having a very wide idea of how lenghty this retrogression thing is, I would personally suggest you not to obtain or apply for Visa Screen Certificate the soonest. Best is for you to have the VSC in posession at least a year or two from your estimated consular interview date. If you'll gonna apply for it now and have it on hand this early, and no I140 petition had filed yet in your behalf, and considering the prolonged nature of retrogression, I am afraid that your Visa Screen will be expired and still you haven't gotten your PACKET 4 yet. In this case, you have to renew your Visa Screen Certificate.

I have come to know some friends who have filed and obtained their Visa Screen Certificate last 2005/2006 just after they passed the NCLEX.  They are still in the Philippines now, trapped with this retro thingy and are still waiting for their PACKET 4. Sad to say, seems like their Visa Screen Certificates are soon to expire way before their consular interview. They've got no choice but to have it renewed again.  They should have avoided this circumstance if and only they applied for Visa Screen Certificate not that early as 2005/2006 knowing that retrogression is set.
These are just some pieces of advice.  Others may have pretty much opinions to share as well.
Good Luck and again Congratulations in passing the NCLEX and IELTS Sherry

I think nurseidol gave a great advice on not applying for the Visa Screen right away.  You should consider that route but since you already passed the IELTS, you should apply for the VSC within 2 years.  Double check the latest policy in the VSC if they still want the IELTS not more than 2 years old.  They can always change their policies.

Goodluck

 

Yes Tcell is right. Since you already have your IELTS, you are then held to apply for VSC in two years time.
MY ADVICE TO OUR FELLOW NURSES WHO ARE PLANNING TO APPLY FOR LICENSURE IN STATES OF VERMONT AND CALIFORNIA:

          Since the application for nursing licensure/registration in these two popular states does not require applicants to take and passed the ENGLISH PROFICIENCY EXAM, consider the idea of taking the english exam after passing the NCLEX, and not just right after passing the NCLEX, But I say, take the ENGLISH EXAM just before you will apply for the Visa Screen Certificate (But of course you have to give some time allowances).  In this way, you will lose nothing.

          It is into my understanding that the English proficiency exam is non-related to board's licensure requirements but is just  to be taken for immigration purposes or for Visa Screen Certificate Application only.  Please correct me if I am wrong.

Good Luck and God Bless everybody.

Yes Tcell is right. Since you already have your IELTS, you are then held to apply for VSC in two years time. [image]
MY ADVICE TO OUR FELLOW NURSES WHO ARE PLANNING TO APPLY FOR LICENSURE IN STATES OF VERMONT AND CALIFORNIA:
          Since the application for nursing licensure/registration in these two popular states does not require applicants to take and passed the ENGLISH PROFICIENCY EXAM, consider the idea of taking the english exam after passing the NCLEX, and not just right after passing the NCLEX, But I say, take the ENGLISH EXAM just before you will apply for the Visa Screen Certificate (But of course you have to give some time allowances).  In this way, you will lose nothing.

          It is into my understanding that the English proficiency exam is non-related to board's licensure requirements but is just  to be taken for immigration purposes or for Visa Screen Certificate Application only.  Please correct me if I am wrong.[image]

Good Luck and God Bless everybody.

-nurseidol

For CA and VT, no need for English exams as a licensure req't so your advice of just taking the IELTS on a latter date is right on the button. 

For CA and VT, no need for English exams as a licensure req't so your advice of just taking the IELTS on a latter date is right on the button. 

-t-cell

Yeah. For NEWLY CA NCLEX PASSERS AND VT LICENSE HOLDERS, I strongly suggest you guys to take the english exam and obtain the Visa Screen Certificate at a later date, preferably when you are just a year or two away from your actual consular interview date.( Just do the educated estimates).

Hi,  t-cell and nurseidol are right. Their advices for future visa screen holders are true. However, in my case, i wasnt fortunate enough to know a website for an advise. After passing the California Nclex December 2006, i was hyper enough to take the IELTS class and passed it February 2007. I wanted to complete all the exams to be taken, since it will be hard to take a leave when you go to work already.
I belonged to that group of 2006 retake exam and passed once more June 2007. I applied for my visa screen March 2007 at my own expense ($450 goes up yearly(?))as they say it has a 2 year expiration date from the time you passed,just  in time for completion for the other visa screen requirements. I didnt want my IELTS to expire, i had an "8". I was referred for an interviewed for direct hiring in a hospital at Bakersfield and got hired July 2007. My recruiter asked for my visa screen that early, he didnt say that they will pay me back for it, but it is somehow their "catch" to make myself "saleable" if o provide for one,since they will be investing for my all my lawyer fees etc. It wasnt clear that they will pay me back, but he told me to keep the receipts.
So, I did, I got hold of my visa screen Dec.2007, after of all the clearance from the controversy of 2006 retake NLE exam. Because of retrogression, i got tired writing to my nurse recruiter from the States for updates. Then February 2009 came, i got a letter that my I-140 was approved and it stated that my priority date was December 13,2007. Now, im wondering if they process my paper only December 2007 after  i gave them my visa screen(?) but they hired me late July 2007.
Oh well, my question now is that if after 5 years I am still here and my consular interview will be later than 5 years, can i just apply for a renewal to CGFNS? or have to take the IELTS again? thanks and more power

If the things are not better in USA.have the following to clear,,why they are conducting their exams NCLEX.In first to GIVE JOBS those who are waiting ,remember lots are waiting .Try other countries ,now a days if there conditions getting better then try your lucks.

We also understand why agencies and US employers are requiring their nurses to have the VISA SCREEN CERTIFICATE earlier. Some will even prefer to sponsor nurses who are already VSC holders.  This is more like a "surety bond"/assurance, that their nurses will later be able to get through the immigration process smoothly by having all the necessary requirements completed. 
 

We have heard of some isolated cases in the past that there are some nurses who are already CGFNS/NCLEX passers but failed to pass the English exams thus unable to secure the VSC. Not able to get a VSC just before the consular interview is of course a big set-back.  This is what agencies are much concerned about.
 
 

 
QUESTION:
 
"Oh well, my question now is that if after 5 years I am still here and my consular interview will be later than 5 years, can i just apply for a renewal to CGFNS? or have to take the IELTS again?"

 
ANSWER:
 
 
Based on the current policy and procedure, the answer is YES. You have to renew your VISA SCREEN CERTIFICATE  at least six months prior to its actual expiration date.  Unfortunately, you have to re-sit for IELTS.  Present policy says, the english proficiency exam must be valid within two years, from the time the Visa Screen Certificate renewal is issued.

For knowledge based, the initial Visa Screen Certificate fee is $498.00 and the Visa Screen Certificate renewal fee is $250.00.

For more info on Visa Screen program, please visit this site:

           http://cgfns.org/sections/programs/vs/

God Bless

If the things are not better in USA.have the following to clear,,why they are conducting their exams NCLEX.In first to GIVE JOBS those who are waiting ,remember lots are waiting .Try other countries ,now a days if there conditions getting better then try your lucks.

-yaddybrogan

Trying other countries:
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That is indeed a good advice, however not all can heed it for various reasons and circumstances. One of w/c you already mentioned,. Also, ironically requirements for applying as a nurse to other countries like UK, NZ (immigration and/or licensure wise) are actually stricter than if applying to the US.  Some are even requiring to go to school again on their countries for a bridge program or something similar w/c of course not everyone can afford.
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Even going to the middle east nowadays is not easy for various reasons.  Even just being a male nurse is a disadvantage.
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Having so and so years is also not a guarantee as part of the process is if the local licensing agency evaluates one's transcripts/education to be not equal to theirs.  If they conclude that it is not equal, then one can even have 20-30 years experience and you still won't be qualified unless remedied by going on a bridge program (if they even allow remedies).
.Also, some countries have a preferred age requirement and other immigration preferences (e.g. Australia's immigration points system) for immigration and so even if one is qualified to be licensed to work as a nurse, there might still be hindrances w/ regards to the immigration process.
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Why are they still conducting NCLEX-RN exams:
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I think what you really want to say is why are they still letting foreign-educated nurses take the NCLEX-RN exam rather just saying why are they still conducting NCLEX-RN exam.  If that is the case, then why not?
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Why shut everything down for everyone to suffer.  Those who thinks that it is not worth taking the NCLEX exam at the moment should just not take it.  The responsibility and decision to take it or not lies solely to the individual.

Hi Fellow nurses! I think you can help me! My visascreen expired last Feb.12,2009 but I had it renewed last year. I took IELTS last May 2008 'coz it's one of their requirements for the visascreen renewal. I sent my form July 2008 and I also asked my friend in L.A. to call ICHP office to inquire if there are missing documents for them to process my visascreen and they told her that it's already processed. UNFORTUNATELY, I still dont have my new visascreen with me. Do you have any idea how long it should take to process a new visascreen?

I am afraid that if they're going to continue or give visas I still don't have my visascreen with me. My PD is Sept.2006, like all other nurses out there I want all the documents ready just in case US will give us visa or they'll start interviewing again!

God Bless us...

Hi Fellow nurses! I think you can help me! My visascreen expired last Feb.12,2009 but I had it renewed last year. I took IELTS last May 2008 'coz it's one of their requirements for the visascreen renewal. I sent my form July 2008 and I also asked my friend in L.A. to call ICHP office to inquire if there are missing documents for them to process my visascreen and they told her that it's already processed. UNFORTUNATELY, I still dont have my new visascreen with me. Do you have any idea how long it should take to process a new visascreen?
I am afraid that if they're going to continue or give visas I still don't have my visascreen with me. My PD is Sept.2006, like all other nurses out there I want all the documents ready just in case US will give us visa or they'll start interviewing again!
God Bless us...

-nars

First of all welcome to the forum.
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When did your friend call them up?  I think you should contact them again and contact them yourself directly and explain that you need it very soon.  Tell them you are expecting to be interviewed soon if you are expecting that is the case so that they can follow-up your VSC ASAP.  
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Processing shouldn't be that long.  Even first time applications normally do not take that long as well.
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It's really best that you contact them yourself directly.
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Goodluck.

Thank you so much! My friend called them last week of January. I asked her to call them 'coz I sent a licensure verification form to Illinois 'coz my NCLEX was under Illinois and I got a form from them that I need to sign and I sent it back to them together with the payment. I sent it last Oct. Anyways, I will try to call them and ask about my visascreen
Thanks again! God bless

Hi Fellow nurses! I think you can help me! My visascreen expired last Feb.12,2009 but I had it renewed last year. I took IELTS last May 2008 'coz it's one of their requirements for the visascreen renewal. I sent my form July 2008 and I also asked my friend in L.A. to call ICHP office to inquire if there are missing documents for them to process my visascreen and they told her that it's already processed. UNFORTUNATELY, I still dont have my new visascreen with me. Do you have any idea how long it should take to process a new visascreen?
I am afraid that if they're going to continue or give visas I still don't have my visascreen with me. My PD is Sept.2006, like all other nurses out there I want all the documents ready just in case US will give us visa or they'll start interviewing again!
God Bless us...

-nars

Hello Nars.

As what t-cell said, it is best if you yourself can contact the CGFNS ICHP division and know the possible problems regarding your Visa Screen Renewal. In normal cases, the process is quick, wont even take a month if requirements are complete considering the fact that it's just a renewal thing.

Don't you have a CGFNS online account? You can ALSO check the status of your visa screen renewal online if you have registered into their database.  Would suggest you to do so if you haven't done yet.

Anyway, I hope things will get solved soon. There's still time to get prepared of everything.

For the common knowledge of everyone, here are the contact details of CGFNS:

AUTOMATED PHONE SYSTEM
TO CHECK STATUS
001-215-599-6200
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

APPLICANT INQUIRIES
001-215-349-8767

You will need to provide your CGFNS ID number and Date of Birth in making phone inquiries.

Best of Luck!!!

Thank you so much for all your replies,really such a great help..I'm new to this forum and I'm really thankful I've got to know this site..

I'll surely consider applying Visa screen at a later date...

Visa screen certificate is valid for 5 years.If in case I need to renew it, do I need to take NCLEX-RN and IELTS again?..
My NCLEX is for the state of California. It is stated there that my record will be destroyed if in three years I still dont have my SSN.
What do I need to do if in 2 or 3 years I still don't have my SSN?

Visa screen certificate is valid for 5 years.If in case I need to renew it, do I need to take NCLEX-RN and IELTS again?..

-sherry09

- You only need to renew the IELTS.  The NCLEX exam, just like the local board exam in the Phils. do not expire.  You only need to renew the licensure card

My NCLEX is for the state of California. It is stated there that my record will be destroyed if in three years I still dont have my SSN.
What do I need to do if in 2 or 3 years I still don't have my SSN?

The applicant can request for an extension if near the deadline and CA BRN grants extensions in 1 year increments.

Procedure and e-mail add. on whom to e-mail are explained in the How to apply to CA BRN sticky in the General Forum:
http://foreign-nurse.lefora.com/forum/category/general/page1/

when visa screen is expired, u need to retake ielts. this is the new policy of ICHP which took effect last year. before, visa screen can only be renewed without the need of ielts retake.................

It’s quite a long standing policy of CGFNS ICHP division to have a valid IELTS TRF (not older than two years old) for one to have his/her Visa Screen renewed.   Without re-sitting for IELTS means no visa screen renewal able. Clear and Bold.

Not much of a burden for us to retake IELTS though.  Financially it may somehow strike a foul but generally speaking, taking IELTS again should be considered as points in favor of us. It will make us more marketable.

Consider it as a dual purpose. Taking IELTS will let your Visa Screen be renewed and at the same time, it will create/open wide nursing opportunities overseas more particularly in Canada, Aussie and other European nations (This if you have plans of grabbing overseas job for the time being) .  Note that it is the number one requirement for most desired nursing hubs while US is still on retrogression.  

Just my opinion.